Trail System

Take a hike! Or a walk, bike, or a sashay through the woods

There’s no obligation to go fast and taking your time is encouraged. This a place where you can see the forest through the trees and where a walk in the woods might be just as fun as a walk in the clouds. Sparwood has a variety of trails for all abilities and activities from going for a walk or run in town or along the river, head up onto the ridge tops for some stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains, cruise down Mountain biking trials and, snowshoe, cross country ski or fat bike enjoying our mountain winters.

Check out our local and regional trails on Trail Forks and AllTrails.

Love the outdoors and looking to connect with fellow hikers?  Visit Elk Valley Hikes social group.  Everyone is welcome to join in the various hikes they do all year round.

Sparwood Trails Alliance

Looking to get involved and support the development of our local trail networks.  Visit the Sparwood Trails Alliance facebook page or website at https://sparwoodtrailsalliance.ca/. The Sparwood Trails Alliance maintains a network of exceptional mountain biking trails during the summer and grooms our local fat bike and snowshoeing trails throughout the winter.  Each year new trails are added expanding our local trail network.

Sparwood Trails

Cypress Trail

This 3.2 km trail loops through Cypress Park connecting the High Rocks Bridge to Sparwood Heights and Cypress Park. The trail travels through a mature pine forest and overlooks the Elk River. One of Sparwood’s more difficult trails, Cypress trail is a pleasant walk or run.

Elk Valley Trail / Coal Discovery Trail

The Elk Valley Trail is a 198-kilometre section of the Great Trail connecting the communities of Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie and Elko to the Cranbrook/Wardner Trail to the South and the High Rockies Trail at Elk Pass to the North. Visit Elk Valley Trail for maps and details.

Juniper Trail

Juniper Trail, named after the residential area in which it starts, connects lower Sparwood residents with the downtown area and elementary and high schools.  It’s a great short cut leading through a pine forest.

Lilac Trail

Lilac Trail is a very scenic trail that leads from Aspen Road and joins the Sparwood Connector. This trail winds through a beautiful pine forest and is great for running and walking.

Matevic Trail

Matevic Trail winds up the backside of Matevic Road connecting the Elk River Bridge to Sparwood Heights. The trail heads through a meadow and pine, larch and cotton woods on its way to or from the Heights.

Mountain Shadows Trail

One of Sparwood’s real gems, this well-established trail starts at Mountain Shadows Campground then winds through the woods and the Golf Course, with linkage to Coal Discovery, Elk Valley and Trans Canada Trails.

Sparwood Connector

In 2011, the new Elk River Bridge was constructed, creating a new link between Sparwood and Sparwood Heights. Now the main trail in Sparwood, the Sparwood Connector provides access to the Elk River, Michel Creek and the Elk River Trail.

The Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail)

The Great Trail winds through the Elk Valley crossing the BC/Alberta boarder about 100 km north of Sparwood at the Elk Lakes Provincial Park from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Alberta.  The trail winds its way south through a network of trails and forest service roads before linking to the Elk Valley Trail and continuing on towards Cranbrook.  Visit Trails BC or The Great Trail for maps and details.